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Simple Living Mamas Tribe!

post #1 of 239
1/1/08 at 3:52pm
Thread Starter 


we are striving for simple living in my home and would love to have a thread for all us simple mamas (and maybe some papas?) i'd love to start a tribe

here's a short and sweet definition of simple living via wikipedia...
Quote:
Simple living (or voluntary simplicity) is a lifestyle in which individuals consciously choose to minimize the 'more-is-better' pursuit of wealth and consumption.
The Simple Living Network says...
Quote:
Simple living -- aka voluntary simplicity -- has just about as many definitions as there are individuals who practice it. Simple living is not about living in poverty or self-inflicted deprivation. Rather, it is about living an examined life -- one in which you have determined what is important, or "enough," for you, discarding the rest.

thread with list of Simple blogs

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post #2 of 239
1/1/08 at 4:12pm
I would definitely love to join you. I have been trying to live simply for quite a while. We are very conscious of our purchases and how we live. We have a long way to go. I sometimes get so caught up with what everyone around me has and I am working so hard to get out of that mindset. If I surround myself with people who also believe in simple living, I think that will make it that much easier to resist the urge.
post #3 of 239
1/1/08 at 4:35pm
I'm always looking for ways to simplify. Lately I've been reading the www.zenhabits.com website. Even if you don't subscribe to a particular religion, there is always something to be learned from others.
post #4 of 239
1/1/08 at 4:45pm
Ooh, sounds great! We are making some major simplifying shifts, including Compacting.

FYI - That zenhabits site in the pp is a .net not .com. Thanks for sharing the link. I'll check it out thoroughly soon.
post #5 of 239
1/1/08 at 5:14pm
I'm here too!

I love this definition of it...
post #6 of 239
1/1/08 at 6:07pm
I'm here. There are 8 of us (five kids, two parents and an elderly uncle) in a 1600-ish sq row house. Three bedrooms and a third floor.

I am trying to convince my dh to buy some land and live in a yurt. He hasn't agreed yet, but he's not totally against the idea either. He wants to have that for a weekend getaway, PLUS our house now. I don't think I'd want to leave the land/yurt to come back on Monday! We'll see what happens...

Regardless, I am really trying to live simply. We don't have tons of stuff as it is, but I'm on a mission to get rid of everything we don't use on a regular bases. Either by donating, trashing or re-using it in a different way.

I am at the point where I am saddened by going into a big box store - its not as hard to go in and not get stuff I don't need (and the list of things I "need" from those stores is slowly decreasing as well).

Looking forward to hearing more about everyone's journey.
post #7 of 239
1/1/08 at 6:21pm


With the New Year, I want to shift more focus onto our home. This will be a wonderful year for us, I can just tell! DH and I live in a 600 sq ft, 2 bedroom apartment. Somehow over the years, our "things" have piled up. I am just tired of having all this extra clutter around! We need to make new space for some new children.

I want to live in a cozy home surrounded by beautiful items. In a homey way. I don't want a lot of unnecessary items floating around, reminding me of the past or things that I "should" do.

We live on the third floor and I have been very aware lately about what comes IN and OUT of our home. From every gift, cast off, recycling, garbage, and /or purchased item. It is almost embarrassing.

I will start with a huge cleaning/decluttering/donating spree, then I want to work on setting up our home to run efficiently/beautifully/meaningfully.
post #8 of 239
1/1/08 at 6:23pm
You know, I'm going to go ahead and join. I don't know how I'll do, but it's a goal I have this year.
post #9 of 239
1/1/08 at 6:31pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by ***Heather*** View Post
I want to live in a cozy home surrounded by beautiful items. In a homey way. I don't want a lot of unnecessary items floating around, reminding me of the past or things that I "should" do.

I will start with a huge cleaning/decluttering/donating spree, then I want to work on setting up our home to run efficiently/beautifully/meaningfully.
Totally. This is my goal for this year.

I want to live simply but beautifully and with purpose. I want a home that is comfortable, efficient, and peaceful, not hectic and overfilled.

Glad I found this thread, I'm totally on board!

What are some specific ways you all plan on bringing this about in your own homes?
post #10 of 239
1/1/08 at 6:35pm
I signed up here for a free decluttering calendar. I have no idea what it's like though.
post #11 of 239
1/1/08 at 6:46pm
Subbing and : . My goals are to continue on our simplification journey and I'd love to hear what you other mommas have to say.
post #12 of 239
1/1/08 at 7:06pm
Count me in. This has been on my mind so much lately. DH and I are trying to live purposefully and more simply. We want live live for our life, not our things.
post #13 of 239
1/1/08 at 7:56pm
I have gotten started on this by doing a big decluttering around here. With a 6 year old and 1 year old twins, life can get a little hectic. I am wanting to simplify so I don't spend so much time cleaning. I'm loving the ideas!! Thanks mamas!
post #14 of 239
1/1/08 at 7:57pm
me me!!!
post #15 of 239
1/1/08 at 8:15pm
Count me in for sure!
post #16 of 239
1/1/08 at 8:29pm
Subbing!!

Me!!

I started last yr, and I have improved much. but I need help with some things.
post #17 of 239
1/1/08 at 8:31pm
I'm subbing. I've done a pretty goo job of de-cluttering post-holiday season, but I aspire for more!
post #18 of 239
1/1/08 at 9:17pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by annettemarie View Post
I signed up here for a free decluttering calendar. I have no idea what it's like though.
Thanks for the link!
post #19 of 239
1/1/08 at 9:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by nathansmum View Post
I'm here too!

I love this definition of it...
I, too, love that definition!

Quote:
Originally Posted by MonkeyPrincess View Post
I am trying to convince my dh to buy some land and live in a yurt. He hasn't agreed yet, but he's not totally against the idea either. He wants to have that for a weekend getaway, PLUS our house now. I don't think I'd want to leave the land/yurt to come back on Monday! We'll see what happens...
I am trying to get my dh to live in a yurt too! So far he is considering living in one while he builds us an energy efficient house.
post #20 of 239
1/1/08 at 9:39pm
I'm in.

I'm decluttering and compacting. I'm also interested in growing our own food, cooking from scratch, repurposing our clothes and generally "making do". I want more time as a family and less time in the rat race. I refuse to live above our means and spend a life drowning in debt.

I'd love to have a tribe of like-minded people!
My DH is on board, if a few steps behind me.

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Sitting or Squatting: What's Really Best in the Bathroom?
There Is Not Always a "Fix" For the Difficult Child
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